In Alice Springs to launch the new Royalty System, Garrett spent most of yesterday at the NPY Women's Council, meeting with members of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers and local indigenous arts groups.

From today artists will be entitled to a 5% commission on any works resold over the ammount of $1000.

"It is a long time waiting for visual artists in this country, including aboriginal and torres strait islander artists, to get some ongoing return for their work, like authors do, like photographers do, like composers do," said Garrett on 783 Mornings.

However the scheme has come under fire by some arts centre managers and gallery owners, who say it will be a 'beaurocratic nightmare'.

"Sometimes change does mean that you've got to adjust," said Garrett this morning.

Will mining companies learn a lesson in flexibility from the arts industry?

It's all about sharing the wealth, said Garrett when questioned on the proposed mining super tax.

"The Australian people are the shareholders in the natural resources in this country and where companies do have a significant profit, the Australian people should take some opportunities from that profit, so that we can invest in the future - whether it's superannuation or infrastructure and the like."